Joplin could accelerate hiring nine police officers as council weighs major citywide pay raises

Joplin could hire nine additional police officers sooner than anticipated, while moving forward with substantial pay raises for hundreds of city employees following a lengthy City Council work session Monday night.

Council members reviewed a spending plan that includes 23% pay increases for police and fire employees and 12% raises for general city workers, funded through a voter-approved public safety sales tax and adjustments to existing city spending.

Finance Director Leslie Haase said the city has struggled to keep wages competitive as Missouri's minimum wage has increased 91% since 2018.

Human Resources Director Michelle Ducre painted a troubling picture of the city's recruitment struggles, telling council that between 75 and 100 employees leave the organization annually, many before completing their first year.

"I have temp agencies who have sat in my presence and told me we can't help you with hiring because your wages are too low," Ducre said.

She described employees leaving city jobs for positions paying substantially more, including a dispatcher who left a $37,211 annual salary for a $49,500 position with Arkansas State Police.

Council members debated whether across-the-board percentage increases adequately address the needs of lower-paid employees.

A worker earning $35,000 would receive an additional $4,200 under the proposed 12% increase, while an employee earning $140,000 would receive $16,800.

The discussion comes as Joplin prepares to accept a $799,000 federal grant to help hire six additional firefighters.

Haase said the grant would cover portions of those salaries over three years, allowing the city to accelerate hiring while freeing up funding for additional police officers.

Under updated projections, Joplin could add three police officers in 2027, three in 2028 and three in 2029.

But Edwards told council he wants to move even faster.

He said the city could hire all nine additional officers in 2027 if qualified applicants are available, although doing so would require adjustments to the spending plan.

Council members expressed support for that flexibility, with Charles Copple emphasizing the importance of hiring qualified officers rather than simply filling vacancies.

The city must accept or decline the firefighter grant by Oct. 19.

The public safety sales tax is expected to generate more than $10 million annually once the city's police and fire pension reaches its required 120% funding level, projected for late 2026 or early 2027.

No formal votes were taken during Monday's work session. Council is expected to revisit the employee compensation plan next week.